This elaborate silver Miao headband would be worn by a woman for festival. First a piece of fabric would be tied around the womans head to protect her from the sharp edges of the metal. The headband would make a soft pleasing sound as the woman moved her head. The man on horseback and flowers are a reference to the Miao myth of bringing light into the world. The headband is approx 20 inches long...

After the turn of the century and contact with the Westerners, many Chinese women admired the style of Western women shoes. In urban centers, leather, as a material came into use for lotus shoes of the wealthy Chinese and "professional" shoemakers using "sewing machines" came into being. These oxford style lotus shoes are a product of this fashion change...

This pair of Chinese toddlers boots were hand made by the Ethnic minority Miao grandmother. They were worn and are somewhat soiled but the are a fine example of needle arts craftsmanship. The upper boot is made with a series of small fabric pieces folded along a curve and then sewn together into a consistent pattern similar to the window pane quilt pattern...

By the latter part of the 19th century the ruling Qings were obsessed with every last detail of dress. This antique top grain leather fan case could only have been owned by very wealthy Chinese woman...

Instead of shoes, sandals such as these were worn in villages throughout India. Hand carved from indigenous woods, frequently teak and fitted to the individual wearer. The knob on the toe prevented the sandals from falling off and no other attachment was used...

A bride of the Yi Chinese Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Province, would have worn the "cock" hat for her wedding day. The hat is made using layers of cotton fabric with a stiffiner between the layers to maintain the shape. Using colorful cotton thread, hat was extravagantly hand embroidered. A few traditional silver ornaments including the bubble, flower and butterfly were added.

Now, it is the very lucky Yi girl who can use her great grandmother's bridal hat for her own wedding...

These geta (shoes) were worn by a girl or young Japanese woman. Build up from several layers of materials, the felted soles have slits to allow access for the changing of thongs should they become soiled or worn. Small pieces of leather nailed are the heels. The upper fabric liner is made from two pieces of contrasting fabric sewn together and show a small amount of dirt and an almost imperceivable foot imprint about the toe area...

This unusual pair of lotus shoes have a green velvet vamp and a rolled leather heel. The style of the shoes indicates that the owner and or maker was exposed to and influenced by Western fashion. There is a delicate floral pattern of embroidery on each side of the shoes.

The hand sewn pink edge-binding trim threads is worn and shredded away in several sections...

This headdress would have been worn by a young Pashtun woman. It is heavily beaded and decorated with wonderful embroidery, and various buttons and coins. The Pashtun range across Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northern India. This hat was sourced in India but it may not have started there...

A properly dressed Chinese woman would wear a pair of leggings that would cover her foot bindings from her lower leg to the top of her lotus shoes. The leggings would be tied into place with a hand woven sash made specifically for that purpose. These lotus shoe accessories are now rare and very hard to find...

This old Chinese silk hat would have been owned and worn by a gentleman of some financial means. The gold fretted trim was expensive and used on both mens and woman's clothing of the during late Qing dynasty. There is some blue trim fabric lost as shown in the pictures. The hat is lined with red cotton fabric and has writing in 2 of the 6 sections....

A properly dressed Chinese woman would wear a pair of leggings which would cover her foot bindings from her lower leg to the top of her lotus shoes. The leggings would be tied into place with a hand loomed sash made specifically for that purpose. These lotus shoe accessories are now rare and very hard to find. This pair of silk sashes were were woven with an diamond pattern which runs the length of the ribbon, and the long warp end threads are braided into tassels.

Traditionally the style and shape of these old Tibetan wool boots was used by all Buddhist monks, and were considered part of the monks costume. The specific decorative cut pattern and colors of fabric indicated the area of Tibet and the position of the Monk. I am not able to identity the Tibetan region or station of the monk who worn this particular pair of boots

The sole and vamp of the boot is very ridged and heavy. The upper portion which surrounds the calf of the leg is soft and flexibl...

This hat was made and worn by a Chinese woman of the Bai nationality ethnic minority from Yunnan province. The hat has been meticulously embroidered using both chain stitching and wrapped thread techniques. It is further ornamented with a combination of beads, coins and fabric strips. ...

White was the traditional Chinese color used for mourning. This pair of antique lotus shoes dates from the Qing Dynasty period. They have a plain linen vamp, with a slight heel. They have had minimal use and are in very good condition. ...

This pair of woman's Lotus shoes for bound feet have the high attached heel and upturned toe typical of the style during the later 19th century. Tiny stitches and the careful embroidery on a cotton background fabric indicate that this pair was made by a woman with limited finances. ...

This pair of boots were made for the child of a wealthy Han family of the late Qing dynasty. They were made from a pale peach colored silk fabric and hand embroidered with silk thread using a satin stitch. The color on lower part of the boots, especially on the outside, has faded to a soft golden color. This would be due to sun exposure during use as the upper part of the boots would be covered by the childs pant legs. Considering the pristine condition, this child was carried about and did ...